Kawa Karpo (6740m) also called Prince Snow Mountain is seated at the west end of the White Horse Snow Mountain in southern Kham area. The local Tibetans regard it as a Holy Mountain. Each year in autumn, the Tibetan people come from the Kham area and gather near here for pilgrimage at the Prince Snow Mountain. They trek around the holy mountain, to worship the prince, and pray for good future. 

 

To many Tibetans, this pilgrimage is one of the most important thing in their life, because they believe that by making this trek once in their lifetime, they can gain a lifetime's peace and safety -  if they can make this trek 3 times in this life, then they can go to paradise in the afterlife. This pilgrimage trek has more than 600 years history and  the scenery on the  way is breathtakingly beautiful. The ecology system has been well preserved on the

Three  Parallel  Rivers  area (Yangtze   Mekong  -  NuJiang), World Natural Heritage since 2003. 

From the Mekong gorges, the trail hardly climbs over 4000m, then down to reach the Nu-Jiang valley crossing several  Tibetan villages, where the natives are  extremely  friendly and hospitable. You will not believe the extent of which until you come to take this trek by yourself! 

 

We think this is the most classic trekking route in China. It's guaranteed to be unforgettable.  



Arrival in Shangri-la (Zhongdian) 

Day 1

  

Arrive in Shangri-la. Transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at Zhongdian Hotel (3*) 

   

Drive to Deqin

Day 2

  

Drive 6 hours to Deqin (3300m). On the way, we will visit Dongdupling monastery, the Three Gorges of Yangtze, and Baima Snow Mountain. 

Overnight at Deqin Caihong Hotel (2*)

  

Drive to Yangzan  (Lamtsa) via Deqin county, trek to Yongzhi (Lungdre) (2470m)

Day 3

In the early morning, we will go to Feilaisi, about 10km away from the town to enjoy the sunrise of the Kawa Karpo range. Then we will drive 3 hours across the Mekong valley to Yangzan(1960m). We will then start our trek for 3 hours to Lungdre (2470m).  

Trek to Yongnan (Lungnak) camp (2900m)

Day 4

 

Trek 7.5 hours to Lungnak Camp. Today we will cross the Dongla pass (3261m), visiting the beautiful river valley. 

Overnight camp 

Trek to Manitong (Dokhe-la base) (3340m)

Day 5

  

Trek 5 hours to Manitong. On the way we will see the mythical Dokhe-La pass. The famous French woman Alexandra David Neel used this road in  the early 20th century! 

Overnight camp

       

 

Trek to Zishutong (Tsasok Thang) (3750m) 

Day 6 

Trek 7.5 hours to Tsasok-Thang. We start to climb DokheLa (4470m), then down to a high pasture. For the Tibetans, this pasture means the  stone step to the heaven. It is the most strenuous day. 

Overnight camp

Trek to Qunatong (Chunathang) (2560m)

Day 7

 

Trek 7 hours to Chunathang. We first pass through Trangche (3440m), then Lho Oesel where one can see the Mt. Kawa Karpo and Lho Du Be. 

Overnight camp  

  

Trek to Aben village (2250m)

Day 8

Trek for 6 hours. We climb to the Shingkang-La pass (3690m), then 4.5 hours trek down to the Aben Tibet village. One of the most beautiful villages on this Kora, Aben, is very hospitable. 

Overnight at local house or camping

Trek to Zinak (2650m)

Day 9

 

Trek 6.5 hours to Zinak village. On the way we will cross the Chudrol hot spring in the Chawalong Tibetan village(1900m). The Zinak people are always welcoming  towards you  around the Mani (Tibetan stones) temple. 

Overnight camp 

Trek to Gebu village (2400m)

Day 10

 

Trek 6.5 hours to Gebu village. Then we climb for 3 hours to Tangtoe-la pass (3360m), before trekking down to the Radha village beside the Tsayuqu River, tributary of the Nu-Jiang (Salween). We finally reach Gebu village, which is the half way stage towards the Kora. 

Overnight at local house

 

Trek to Dagula - mushroom collect

Day 11

 

Trek 7 hours to Dagula. We then climb the Thakor Chonyi pass (4100m), then head down to Dagula (3800m). 

Overnight camp

 

Trek to Ladho village

Day 12

 

Trek 7.5 hours to Ladho village.  In the morning we trek 1 hour to Gabtsa-La pass (4200m), heading south for long time before joining the hard road to Gabtsa Chuka. We will visit a small temple (2680m), then climb 1.5 hours to Ladho village. This is a beautiful and picturesque village, so we will rest here.

Overnight at local house or camping

Trek to Mechok Pangang (4200m)

Day 13

 

Trek 6 hours. This is one of the hardest treks of the trip as we ascend to highest pass of the trip, the Shola (4815m). We will then head towards the Mechok Panggang at 4200m. If the weather is idea, we can see the entire Kawa Karpo range there. 

Overnight camp

 Trek to Chuzom (3460m)

Day 14

 

Trek 5 hours to Chuzom. In morning we trek 3 hours to the Shola pass (4815m), then down to the Chuzom pasture (3460m) by Duglun Thang (4250m). 

Overnight camp

 

Trek to Meilishi village, take car back to Deqin

Day 15

 

Trek 6.5 hours. Last trekking day to Menroe Shoe (Meishi in Chinese) at 2200m. We meet again the Mekong River at Sachu Ka then reaching Menri Shi, our car will be waiting for us. Drive 2.5 hours back to Deqin(3320m).

Overnight at Deqin Caihong Hotel (2*)                          

  

Drive back to Shangri-la (Zhongdian)

Day 16

Driver 6.5 hours back to Zhongdian.Overnight at Zhongdian Hotel (3*)

  

Flight back to KunMing

Day 17

Take a morning flight to Kunming

 

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